Te Arahori Day: Staying creative and curious

Te Arahori’s work is rooted in her whakapapa. Bound by an understanding of where she comes from and those who came before her. Te Arahori creates garments that reclaim the past and re-indigenise the future. Her work is informed by archival photography, historical records and whanau memory.

“The Unknown Haerenga” is a collection that explores the intersections between Māori and NZ settlers, demonstrating an understanding of the realities of different cultures who have left their homes in search of the unknown. Because of this migration and connection, we saw the transfer of knowledge between them, leading to the adoption of many European ways of life. Nowadays, Māori and Tangata Tiriti are learning alongside each other, using experiences from the past to understand where we go next. Ka mua, ka muri “I walk backwards into the future with my eyes firmly on the past”.

Te Arahori Day completed her bachelor’s degree in fashion design and is now pursuing a Master of Design. Her path into fashion grew from a longstanding interest in creative practice and working with her hands.

“I didn’t want to go down a cookie-cutter academic path. I wanted to explore the things that grip me and intrigue me about the world and Aotearoa New Zealand.”

Some of Te Arahori’s most valuable experiences at Massey came through sharing her work with classmates and lecturers. The questions and conversations that followed encouraged her to examine her ideas more deeply.

“People would be so curious to understand your thinking. Having that intrigue helped build more passion for what you were talking about.”

Te Arahori also credits her whānau and university friends with supporting her throughout the demanding process of completing her collection. Returning home each day gave her a dependable support system, while late nights on campus were made easier by classmates who understood the pressure.

“You could lean on each other because you all understood the same stress. Everyone was so passionate, and it pushed you to keep going.”

Showing at New Zealand Fashion Week allows Te Arahori to share her creative perspective with a wider audience. The experience is not only about having her garments seen, but also about creating representation on a national stage.

“To be able to represent that in my garments and have that representation at Fashion Week, to feel seen and help others feel seen, is beautiful,” she says.

Her studies now extend beyond fashion into celestial navigation, which she explores through Indigenous practices, narratives, and storytelling. The master’s programme allows her to continue asking questions and following the ideas that first drew her towards design.

Travel may also form part of what comes next, bringing new experiences and sources of inspiration. Above all, Te Arahori intends to remain open to discovery.

“It’s about keeping that exploration going and staying curious. Just keeping on going and staying creative.”